N. Joan Tollefson

On December 19th, 2018 our family lost its matriarch, Joanie Tollefson, who passed peacefully at the age of 88.

Nora Joan Adler grew up in a musical household in her beloved Fairbanks Alaska, and moved with her family back to the Redmond area during WWII where she graduated Holy Names and attended Seattle U.

She met and married Barclay Tollefson and together raised 3 kids: Ted, Rhett and Terri, making their homes in Medina, Sherwood Forest, Clyde Hill and their Yarrow Point lakefront home – a place that hosted 4th of July picnics, birthday parties and weddings. She happily saw grandchildren grow into adulthood and the birth of two great grandchildren.

She enjoyed many trips to Europe and wintering at their home on Maui. She was a member of The Ruth School for Girls and Alexander Fleming Auxiliary of Overlake Hospital, and belonged to Overlake Golf & Country Club for 50 years. Sadly, her last years dealt with losing her husband of 60 years and her two sons.

She was formidable and fun, stubborn and silly, but most of all she inspired elegance and style. We miss her already.

She was predeceased by her husband Barclay; sons Ted and Rhett, and grandson Rhett Gordon. She is survived by daughter, Terri Gordon (John) of Woodinville, two daughters-in-law, four grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to a charity of your choice.

Important Announcement Regarding Deaths in King County

Families and their Funeral Service Providers, including Barton Family Funeral Service, are experiencing significantly delays in obtaining death certificates from King County while King County implements an electronic system called EDRS. (You may read about it HERE)

We have been using the EDRS system for several years for deaths occurring in other counties such as Snohomish County. We know the system well and are trying to help physicians and hospitals as they make the transition. Because King is such a large county, the transition is taking longer than we have experienced in the past, and unfortunately we are all experiencing considerable delays in obtaining death certificates.

County and State officials are very cooperative and are working diligently to facilitate the change. We ask for your patience and assure you that we are doing everything possible to meet your expectations.